The food and beverages portfolio of sensors from Sick meets maximum demands for ruggedness and reliability in the food and beverages sector. V18V standard and MH15V short cylindrical photoelectric switches, and the inductive sensors of the IMF series are characterised by enclosure ratings of IP69K according to DIN 40050, material resistance tested and certified by ECOLAB and JohnsonDiversey, and industry-oriented mounting and connection solutions.

The food and beverages portfolio of sensors provide sophisticated and economical automation solutions for production, handling, packaging and filling of solids or liquids, as well as pharmaceutical products. Depending on the task involved, Sick’s food and beverages portfolio of sensors exploits differing physical operating principles and a variety of housings, whereby the devices offer universal use in numerous applications while simultaneously providing specific advantages that have a positive effect on their availability and cost-effectiveness.

V18V is the most complete family of photoelectric switches in cylindrical stainless steel housings. The V18V family of photoelectric switches combines user-friendly adjustment with resistance in harsh environments. While the technological highlight of the series, patented touch-teach-in sensitivity adjustment, still provides proven sensitivity adjustment on the sensor itself, there is now no need for mechanical control elements such as a rotating potentiometer or button, eliminating the otherwise usual weak points such as adjustment elements and plastic seals.

In addition to the dependable housing concept, there is also the V18V series sensors’ thermal resistance: the temperature range is specified up to +85°C, and even permits 100°C for up to 15 minutes. With a photoelectric reflex switch, specially designed for detecting transparent objects, the series exhibits particularly fine detection capability under harsh conditions, even with clear glass bottles, blister shells or blow film.

MH15V is a family of cylindrical photoelectric switches in the shortest stainless steel housings on the market. The MH15V family of photoelectric switches was developed to solve space-critical applications in handling, filling and packaging plants. The extremely short M18 stainless steel housing, the shortest on the market, permits the sensors to be mounted even when space is severely limited.

Whether the through-beam photoelectric switch with a range of 5 m, the photoelectric reflex switch with a 4.5m range, or energetic photoelectric proximity switches with scanning distances of between 100mm and 350mm. The MH15V offers the suitable sensor design for each application. If required, newly developed mounting accessories permit smart installation solutions. Particular attention was paid to ensure a cleaning-resistant sensor design.

The wash-down design includes, among other things, metal housings made entirely of stainless steel 316L, plane optics and the watertight enclosure rating of IP69K to meet all the sensor requirements resulting from the chemical cleaning processes, increased air humidities, and high water pressures found in the external cleaning processes for plants in the food and beverages sector.

The inductive sensors of the IMF series withstand maximum stresses in the harsh environment of food production and bottle filling plants. Particular value was placed on corrosion resistance, tightness and temperature resistance during development of the IMF sensors in order to meet all the demands of the food industry brought about, for example, by the chemical cleaning and disinfection processes of plants. Their housings consist of a rugged mix of stainless steel (316L/1.4404) and FDA-certified plastic. The watertight sensors are, of course, tested to enclosure rating IP69K and have an expanded temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. The IMF series from Sick is the inductive solution for reliable processes in the food and drinks industries.

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